5 reasons the Ravens will make the playoffs

Frank Victores / Associated Press

The simplest path to January football for any team is to win its division, or at the very least play well in it, and the Ravens likely will do that. Forget about the Cleveland Browns. Though the Cincinnati Bengals are a perennial playoff team, this might be the year the pressure of looming postseason failure becomes too much for coach Marvin Lewis and quarterback Andy Dalton. That leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the standout triumvirate of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown, and not much else. If one of them goes down, this team can’t keep the Ravens out of the playoffs. It’s still a tough division, but the Ravens have more going right than anyone else.

The simplest path to January football for any team is to win its division, or at the very least play well in it, and the Ravens likely will do that. Forget about the Cleveland Browns. Though the Cincinnati Bengals are a perennial playoff team, this might be the year the pressure of looming postseason failure becomes too much for coach Marvin Lewis and quarterback Andy Dalton. That leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have the standout triumvirate of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown, and not much else. If one of them goes down, this team can’t keep the Ravens out of the playoffs. It’s still a tough division, but the Ravens have more going right than anyone else.

Even when three starters on the offensive line missed time a season ago, the unit was one of the best in the NFL, and every key piece is back. Health is the major concern here, but with reserves such as John Urschel, James Hurst and Jah Reid, this is a deep group. Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda are playing for new contracts, and Eugene Monroe is playing to erase a disappointing end to last season. This group blocked for a top rushing attack and kept Joe Flacco upright all last year, and if it does it again, it will be hard for this offense not to stay on a playoff track.

Even when three starters on the offensive line missed time a season ago, the unit was one of the best in the NFL, and every key piece is back. Health is the major concern here, but with reserves such as John Urschel, James Hurst and Jah Reid, this is a deep group. Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda are playing for new contracts, and Eugene Monroe is playing to erase a disappointing end to last season. This group blocked for a top rushing attack and kept Joe Flacco upright all last year, and if it does it again, it will be hard for this offense not to stay on a playoff track.